Election Impacts Cannabis Supporters

In Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan, legislation put before the public on Election Day 2008 will directly impact supporters of cannabis.

In Hawaii County (the Big Island), about 50% of voters were in favor of making the prosecution of cannabis-related crimes the lowest prosecuting priority (about 42% were against). The measure passed.

In Massachusetts, the majority of voters chose to decriminalize the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. The Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative was approved.

In Michigan, voters approved a medical marijuana measure. Proposal 1 removed state penalties for registered patients to buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana. Michigan joins a handful of states, including California and Oregon, with exceptions to drug laws for the use of medical marijuana by severely ill patients.